Obituary
CLUSTER MONROE “C.M.” RHODES, was born minutes before his twin brother, Cluvis Woodrow, on August 4, 1920 in Yale, OK. He grew up in Seminole, OK, graduated from Pleasant Grove High School and Abilene Christian College, and then married his high school sweetheart, Vera Pauline “Polly” Dickerson. During WWII, Rhodes served as an Army glider pilot instructor. After deciding to pursue a career in the ministry, he accepted a preaching position at the downtown Church of Christ in San Diego, CA, which he held for 2½ years before moving to Tripoli, Libya, North Africa as a missionary. Four years later Rhodes and his family returned to the U.S. and settled in Selma, AL where he served as a Church of Christ minister for more than a decade. An avid student of theology, civil rights and communism, he lectured at various colleges and civic organizations across the country, and was granted an Honorary Doctor of Divinity title by the London Institute for Applied Research in 1973.
Rhodes eventually moved back to Oklahoma to set up a gas and oil distributorship in Muskogee. That business thrived over 20 years until he was diagnosed with macular degeneration, declared legally blind, and forced to retire. He sold the business but remained active – walking a mile or more every morning with his Schnauzer, continuing biblical studies, thanks to a V.A.-supplied magnifying screen, and collaborating with his daughter to pen his memoirs of their life in Africa and his 6500-mile trek across the Sahara Desert by jeep.
January 2015 Rhodes moved to Orlando, FL where his daughter cared for him until his death on March 24, 2016. He was predeceased by a son – Richard Don, his first wife, Polly, and his second wife, Mary Barbara.
Surviving kin include daughters Linda Adams and Karen Dismukes, a son – Randall, stepsons Jay Davis and Terry Davis, and five grandchildren.
Rhodes’ remains will be cremated but no funeral services are planned locally.
Our family has such fond memories of our dad's twin brother. He was so special.
Michael will always appreciate all the encouragement that he offered to him to complete a book about his experiences while working in a prison.
Our grandchildren enjoyed hearing him tell of his childhood. His laughter was "one of a kind. "
He ended his phone conversations with be good to yourself, Suga. That made me feel so special.
He left a legacy to all the Rhodes family, which he dearly loved.
We have such fond memories of our dad's twin. He was so special.
Michael will always appreciate his encouragement for him to complete his book about his experiences of working in a prison.
Our grandchildren loved to hear about his childhood experiences and his laughter was "one of a kind".
He would end his phone conversations with "take good care of yourself, Suga". That made me feel so special.
He left a legacy for the Rhodes family members, whom he cherished.
My deepest sympathy. I've been thinking of you and praying for you.
Love,
Wanda
Sincere sympathy to you and all your families. You are all in my prayers. Love to all.
May God bless the memory of Cluster Monroe Rhodes.
Sounds like your dad lived a blessed and full life. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Tonya Goring
the sweet memories be of comfort.